Retail giant Walmart has laid off around 1,000 employees as part of efforts to simplify its operational structure, according to reports. Under the leadership of new CEO John Furner, the company is focusing more on technology-driven strategies to attract higher-income shoppers and expand its marketplace and delivery businesses.
In a memo to employees, Walmart’s global technology head Suresh Kumar and global AI acceleration head Daniel Danker said the company is reorganizing teams, clarifying ownership, and aligning roles with future business needs. They added that some roles were consolidated while others were eliminated as part of the restructuring process.
The company is also offering certain employees the option to retain their jobs if they relocate to key offices, including Bentonville, Arkansas, and Northern California. Walmart clarified that the layoffs are not linked to artificial intelligence replacing workers, but are part of operational restructuring.
Walmart currently employs nearly 2.1 million people worldwide, making it the largest private employer in the United States. Meanwhile, several other companies, including General Motors and GitLab, have also announced layoffs in recent weeks.
